Sealing and Expunging Criminal Records in Florida

Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have a criminal record, you may know the inherent difficulties it can present. Securing gainful employment or renting a house or apartment, for example, may no longer be feasible. Florida law has provided a way for you to get qualifying arrests, dismissed charges, and withheld adjudications sealed or expunged from your criminal record.

With a few narrow exceptions, a sealing or expunction of your criminal record permits you to lawfully deny the arrest in situations where you would otherwise be required to disclose it. For assistance in determining whether you qualify for sealing or expunging your criminal case, contact Tampa criminal defense attorney Tim Hessinger.

Learn your legal options in Tampa!

If our review of your record establishes that you qualify for sealing or expunging, we apply for a certificate of eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) on your behalf. Upon receiving your application, FDLE will consult its records to determine which charges qualify for sealing or expunction. (Sealing means that records are sealed from public view and can only be accessed with a court order. Expunction means that the records are destroyed.) Once The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger receives the certificate of eligibility, we petition the court for an order that seals or expunges your records. This entire process usually takes about six months to complete.

The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger has assisted many clients in the Tampa area with sealing or expunging their criminal records. We carefully review our client's prior contacts with the criminal justice system to ensure eligibility, and carefully prepare the applications to ensure the process is completed as quickly as possible. Contact our firm today for a free consultation about sealing or expunging your criminal records.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.